Rugged Maniac 2019...

Welp - got another one in!
This was my 7th Rugged Maniac!

Unfortunately my nifty little camera I used to bring with me on OCR's has officially died, so not as many photos. 

I was going to stop doing these 3 years ago, but my dear friend Renee dragged me back in when she wanted to try them out.  Well she's hooked.  I missed last year due to my amazing Sedona trip, but was able to get out this year.

I was pretty much freaking out since I've quit the gym and basically just not working out all that much lately.  A few people have been very sweet and said "Jami your out of shape is still better shape than most people".  Thanks guys!

I drove out by myself since I couldn't a buddy to join me this year, but I met up with Bob and Renee and crew (Which included her friend Noelle - our virgin racer and her sister Kristina and hubs Shannon)  A fantastic crew to do the race with for sure!!

Did the usual check in and took some pre race shots:

Ready to Roll

Ready to go with the usual 3!

And off we went!

There was a photographer at the starting line:

The girls ready to race!

The race was full of about 23 or so obstacles.  A lot of the usual ones I've done before, but a few new ones too.  There was a mini wall that you run up then climb up and over.  We had some really great fit dudes offer to give us a boost.  I was thrilled when I scurried up past them and the one guy shouted "Go girl! You don't need our help! You're like a spider monkey!"  Yay me!!

There were also (rather than rings) a set of monkey bars that tilted half way through as you were swing across.  I was thrilled to be one of the only ones to make it across!  I still got it!!

The only obstacles I skipped or didn't finish were the trenches - I chose not to jump over the last one, worrying my knee would give.  There were these other bars that you tried to upper body your way across, but they were too thick and slippery for me to get a grip.  We all tried multiple times but just couldn't grip them.  I also came down hard on my good knee during one of my attempts and that was it for me.  I also skipped the warped wall at the end.  But other than that I did all the rest!!!

This was a new one and my new favorite!  You swung across the rope like a zip line then ring the bell before you drop into the water.

Hitting the bell!

I love the picture of Noelle! Ha!  I had just had water shoot up to my brain...

This may be my favorite picture of our group

Renee got the bell too!

Then there's of course always a photographer at the mud crawl

Always smiling!

Here I come!

Found the photographer!

And I'm off!

And of course the slide at the finish is always a blast!!

It's steep as hell but so fun!

The happy couple!

We had an absolute blast and Noelle kicked ass for her 1st time!!

Finishers!

We then all got our beers and chilled for a bit before heading out.

My girl!

Love my Tully!

Kick ass crew this year!

Bob is now a member at Miramonte so he and I headed over there for some wine and lunch.  I do love that this is out in wine country! Ha!  Then home and into an Epsom Salt bath. 

My body isn't what it used to be and I'm a bit tore up from this race. Torqued my back, bruised the shit out of my good knee and am super sore.  But I'm healing up and will be in again next year!!  Recovery may be a bit more brutal but damn it I can still kick ass!

Gladiator Rock N Run...

So I stopped doing this race a while ago.  I couldn't really remember why, other than these races are getting expensive, hence the major cut back.  But this one popped up and was right up the street at Angel Stadium.  My friend Fatima was doing it too so why not. 

Unfortunately the race got moved to half a year later - which put Fatima out.  I convinced my friend Mel to give her 1st OCR a try and do it with me.  She was in!  SUCKER!!!  Ha!  J/K of course.  She killed it.

We showed up way early and were quite surprised at what looked to be a pretty low turn out.  We actually hopped in an earlier wave time and off we went.  I was now reminded why I don't do Gladiators anymore.  I'm more of an obstacle girl, and this race is more running and the "obstacles" are mostly just exercise/cross fitty stuff.  Like - Plank for 2 min.  Wall sit for 2 min.  Do burpees with cinder blocks.  Stuff like that.  I mean - it's a way funner work out than going to the gym, but I sign up for these things to do obstacles.  Hence - Rugged will always be my fave.  We were also super disappointed in the lack of volunteers and lack of photographers (which super bummed me out because my little camera broke, so I was hoping Mel could get more!).  It was kind like a ghost town race to be honest.

But - that all aside - Mel and I still had fun!  She did great!  I love helping the virgins through their 1st race.  I think she may even sign up for Rugged now! Yay!  I was pretty proud of myself because I conquered the monkey bars and the Beast Wall!!  I scurried up the cargo net super fast as well.  Mel was quite impressed.  We ended up having a great time.

Pre-Race:

Kiss for the boy

She's excited

Selfie

During Race:

This picture actually made the photo album and the email!  I'm famous!

This was fun!

Post Race:

Dur-tay!

We finished!

Adding another one of these bitches to my collection

Thanks for the shot Mel!

And of course - the best way to end a race is with delicious burgers and booze!!!  (Burgers not pictures - we inhaled them)

Mel captured our booze beautifully!

Irish Spirt Run 2018...

You've seen the blogs.
You know the drill.
5th Year.
5K, 5 Bars, 5 Beers (or wine for me).
A group of "runners" and a group of walkers.
Mr. Robert Tully is the mastermind behind the whole damn thing.
Pics from me and others from the run.

Take a look!!

1st Bar - Check in and Pre-Drinks.  Thanks Scott at Fullerton Brewing Company!

Sibs!

About to start (I'm somewhere in the back not paying attention)

Pre-Race Mimosas!

The mastermind himself does the 1st toast

Bar #2 Joe's Bar -  Who always has Dropkick Murphy's playing when we come in! Thanks Joe!!!!

Terri said look "Pixie-ish".  Um....

Taylor and I bringing up the tail end as we roll into Joes

Green Beer!!

3rd Bar - right next door - but us runners ran all the damn way around!  Thanks Bob!!!  (I mean I guess we are supposed to be doing a 5K....) Roscoe's.  Our little gal in the back patio was AWESOME!

SO - they only had beer. I asked for water - SHE GAVE ME WINE!  THE BARTENDER WAS FUCKING JESUS!

One of my favorite couples

The Bennett Clan

CAN YOU EVEN DEAL?!

Bar #4 is my favorite - Hopscotch.  They have the best wine!  This is also the bar those of us running are questioning why we chose to be in the "runners" group and not the walkers.

Here we come bitches!

So sweaty....

Might be my favorite picture

Pit Stop - "Bob's Bar" which is Bob's garage where Heather and Barney were waiting for us with Cornbeef sliders, cupcakes, Jameson shots, Jello shots and more.  This is also the only time I was in the lead.  As I trot up next to Bob whose leading the "Runners" he says "McCoy!  You're in the lead!"  I say - "I know the next stop has fucking cupcakes!!!!!".  Do you know who I am?

YES!

Jameson Shots

But what I really came here for....

Taylor is unsure about the "Suck & Blows"

Gearing up for the last leg

The mastermind

Pete & Darri knew how to Suck & Blow!

David always wins with costumes!

T-Mow!

Still eating

Da ladies

Mah Girl!

Then the last stop - Branagans Irish Pub.
They're awesome!  Since this was our 5th year they had a damn raffle!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Last stop is where we lunch, drink more and PAH-TAY!

Shane won a damn BBQ!!!!!

T-Mow's Toast

I won a T-Shirt

1st year I ACTUALLY BEAT MY BROTHER!

Da Boys

Finishers

Irish Friends for Life!

Another fantastically fun year!!!!
Thank you Bob!!!!!